Bert walked him to the door. “You’re welcome to spend the night here and save a trip.”
“Thanks but Spuds would think I’d met with an accident and have the hands out looking for me.”
Mina and Cindy trailed behind the two men.
After Austin had gone and Bert had locked the door, the three of them turned toward the stairs.
Bert chuckled and put his arm around Cindy’s waist. “Well, darlin’, I’d say your party for Mina was a success. Don’t be sad you did such a fine job as matchmaker.”
Mina hated her cousin was disappointed. “I appreciate so much all you’ve done for me, Cindy. No wonder you’re my favorite cousin.”
Cindy glanced over her shoulder. “Ha ha, I’m your only cousin. I can’t help wishing we’d had more time together. I’m glad Austin spoke up, though. I was afraid he’d hesitate and you’d accept someone else before he proposed.”
“Was he the one you wanted me to marry?”
“Yes, I thought you two would like one another. He’s a good friend of Bert’s and he seems to be kind and responsible. If he’s not, I’ll take a shotgun after him.”
Bert escorted his wife up the stairs. “She means it.”
Mina couldn’t keep from being skeptical. “Cindy, I didn’t know you even knew how to fire a gun.”
“Everyone needs to out here. I’m sure Austin will teach you. Bert taught me to shoot his shotgun and a revolver.”
They reached the door to her room. “I feel as though I’m sleepwalking and dreaming. I’ll see you in the morning and hope I’m really engaged.”
“We’ll check on the twins and then turn in. Good night.”
In spite of the late hour, Mina was too excited to sleep. She changed to her nightwear and hung her dress in the armoire. It was her favorite dress and she’d wear it for her wedding.
She sat at her room’s small desk and wrote her sister.
Dear Lily,
You’ll be so surprised to read that I’ve found Mr. Wright. Yes, I spelled that correctly because his name is Austin Wright. He’s a good friend of Bert Kennedy. Austin proposed tonight at the party.
He’s coming tomorrow so we can talk to the minister and arrange our wedding for Sunday afternoon at the church. The community church is non-denominational. Although the town is the county seat it’s not very large. Still, it seems to have everything I could need.
Cindy cried when we told her we want to marry right away. She said she had hoped she and I would have more time to visit before I married. Austin’s ranch is only a half hour away so I’ll see Cindy often.
By the time you read this I’ll be Mrs. Austin Wright. I’m only sorry you and Will and the children won’t be here. Darla could be a flower girl. I suppose Cindy and Bert will be our only guests unless Austin’s ranch hands attend.
I don’t know if his ranch has a name or not but you can write to me in care of Cindy until I find out more. I’m so happy—I hope my news makes you happy for me. I believe Austin and I will be a good couple.
Love,
Mina
Mina would mail the letter tomorrow when she and Austin were out. How surreal this seemed. She’d arrived on Wednesday and would be married on Sunday. Her dreams were coming true.
She gave thanks and asked for the Lord’s blessing on her marriage.
***
Austin rode home with moonlight providing plenty of illumination. He wouldn’t get much sleep tonight but he was too jubilant to care. His horse, Thunder, didn’t need guiding to reach the barn where hay and oats waited.
Lost in thought, Austin mentally made a list of things he needed to do before Sunday. One was to get his grandmother’s ring from the safe. He’d take it tomorrow and show Mina. He’d planned on his wife wearing that ring but Mina might prefer a new band.
He slowed Thunder when he was close to home. He tried to get the horse taken care of and get into the house and his bed without waking anyone. But, he saw a light from the kitchen window. When he crept into the kitchen, he saw Spuds had left a lantern burning for him.
Shaking his head, he thought the cook treated him as a son instead of an employer. What would Mina and Spuds think of one another? He didn’t need any more trouble in his life. Ferguson and Davis and their crazy gold mining scheme were already too much.
He undressed and stretched out on the bed. Two nights from now his wife would share this bed with him. Didn’t that beat all?
His tongue tried to trip him up but he’d been able to propose. The wonder was she’d accepted. He knew at least three other men had shown Mina a lot of attention. Yancy Davis was a teller at the bank, Fred Palmer was the surveyor, and Mark Evans worked at the drug store. Each had made his interest in courting Mina plenty obvious.
When he woke he realized he’d overslept. He hurriedly dressed and went downstairs where his hands sat at the table drinking coffee.
Spuds stood at the kitchen range frying eggs. “Well, let’s hear a report.”
“I’m engaged and we’re getting married Sunday afternoon and you’re invited. I’m going back to town this morning so we can talk to the preacher and arrange the time.”
The three at the table congratulated him.
Spuds set a large platter of fried ham and eggs on the table. “She know about me?”
“She does so don’t worry. Everything will be fine. No one is turning you out.”
The apprehensive expression on Spuds face proved he had doubts.
